Setting my Historical Wig

I decided to buy a lace front wig as I really like the effect of the natural looking hairline you get with the lace. The hair is acrylic and it has an elastic back meaning it can stretch so I had the best of both worlds. I have chosen to create a 1940's factory worker and the hair on my wig was far too long. I decided to cut it and this was the first time I had ever cut hair before. I think I did quite a good job for my first attempt and it didn't have to be perfect as it wasn't someones actual hair. 

Equipment:

• Scissors
• Pintail comb
• Comb
• Sectioning clips
• Rollers: red, pink, yellow and blue
• Roller pins
• Steamer

Snood for my assessment

After I had taken a few inches off my wig, the next step was for me to prep the hair and to do this I needed to put in rollers. I sectioned off the front, taking the parting to the side and sectioning where the ears would be. I pinned the back section away and started to place rollers in the front. 

Once the front and side sections had been placed into rollers. I started to use the brickwork technique all the way down the back of the head with the remaining. I had to use a spray bottle to dampen the hair in order for me to put it in rollers. The stray hairs wouldn't go into the rollers and making them damp helped them stay. 

Once I was happy with the placement of the rollers, it was time for me to steam the wig! I was very excited to do this as I had never steamed a wig before and I was looking forward to the outcome. The steamer is very hot so you needed to be careful when topping it up with more water. I used 2 and a half cups of water in the steamer as I wanted to ensure that I had steamed all of the hair all the way through to the roots. 

When I was happy that I steamed it all, I took my wig into the cupboard to dry for a couple of days before styling into my final design. I was nervous that it wasn't going to dry in time as I soaked it a lot with the steam. It is a waiting game now to see if the steam worked and helped set my hairstyle. Fingers crossed the hair curls!

On the day of the assessment, I allowed myself 2 hours to style my wig in the before putting it on my model. I did this because then I could get it exactly how I wanted and if anything was to happen to it in the cupboard (if it got knocked over, or if it fell out) I wouldn't have the stress of having to re do it. However, it took me the whole 2 hours as I am a perfectionist and kept having to re do it anyway! I got quite frustrated at myself towards the beginning and unfortunately didn't take any photographs of me styling the wig but I did towards the end once I was happy with it. I annoy myself when styling hair as I don't have any self-confidence and doubt myself from doing things, but once I get into it and get motivation from Helen and Lottie I find that I can do it. Here are the informal photographs I took during my assessment!

Firstly, I got my model to wear a blue shirt as part of her costume. I then pin curled my models hair and wrapped the back, creating the main anchor points for the wig to be attached too.

I then placed a blonde wig cap over the head and pinned into position. 

Whilst I was styling my wig, my model applied her makeup for me with the design that I chose. I wanted a natural smokey eye with winged eyeliner and red lips to resemble the look of the 1940s.

 Then I applied my wig, securing it with hair grips at every anchor point. I then had to touch up the victory rolls to get rid of any stray hairs and bits that had slightly moved when putting on the wig. I also touched up the wig at the back, re-doing the bow to get it into position.

Once I was finally happy with how my model looked, I took her in the other room to shoot my final look! I was so excited as I had costume and props to help add to my models character. 

These are the informal photographs, I will post my favourites on another post!